“We are trained and ready for deployment,” said Capt. John S. Banigan, Lake Erie commanding officer.

“I am very proud of this crew and all that they have accomplished. We have an amazing team of professionals, and I have the utmost faith in their abilities. I could not ask for a better group of Sailors to go to sea alongside.”

Lake Erie is one of 11 surface ships of Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific. The ship is named in commemoration of the Battle of Lake Erie fought Sept. 10, 1815.

During the pivotal engagement, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry hoisted a crudely stitched flag bearing the dying words of his friend, Capt. James Lawrence, “Don’t give up the ship!” That motto served as the battle cry that day and continues to inspire today.

“I am very excited because I’ve never been overseas before. I am excited to navigate through some interesting ports,” said

Quartermaster 3rd Class Lane Daigle. “I can’t wait to see Japan and South Korea. Those countries have been on my bucket list since I joined the Navy.”

“It’s going to be hard,” said one of the spouses, whose husband deployed with the Lake Erie. “Being away is always difficult, but it’s worth it. I’m proud of him and all his shipmates who are deploying today.”

Upon completion of this deployment, Lake Erie is expected to replace John Paul Jones as a rotational ballistic missile defense (BMD) deployer in San Diego.